Residents of Fargo, North Dakota, aren’t taking any chances when it comes to Mother Nature after a waterlogged week in the Midwest. NBC’s Kevin Tibbles reports.

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>>>now to the latest on the flooding in the midwest and the plains. it's finally getting warm enough for snow to melt and people along the rivers are bracing for a sudden rush of
high water
. nbc's
kevin
tibbles is in
fargo
tonight where all eyes, as they have been, are on the rising
red river
.
kevin
, good evening.

>> reporter: well, brian, they have a saying in this part of the down oh tri. prepare for the worst and pray for the best. well here in
fargo
they are getting ready. an or a army of high schoolers builds a sandbag barricade in hopes of holding back the rising
red river
.

>>good we are helping other people live where they live.

>>i feel good about helping the community out.

>>more bags!

>> reporter: for the fourth time in five years this city on the plains braces for record flooding. in
2009
the water reached nearly 41 feet, swamping hundreds of homes. today, city manager
mike williams
helps ensure the sandbag levees are ready.

>>we have protected to 42 1/2 feet which is this one. this one we have never seen and hope we never do.

>> reporter: it's been a waterlogged week throughout the midwest. in the
chicago area
, the wettest april on record caused extensive flooding. in
comstock park
, michigan, dozens of homes damaged by the record high
grand river
. so much water on the fields in whiteland, indiana, farmers paf to delay planting. this on the heels of last year's drought. near st. louis, water with levels were dangerously low on the mississippi. now, it, too, is flooding. behind their
fargo
home erin and john aren't
taking chances
.

>>i'm not putting my guard down at all.
mother nature
knows how to throw a party.

>> reporter: they may have had the day off school but these kids are learning about team work.

>>everybody helps everybody.

>> reporter: that's a good way to live.

>>that's the
north dakota
way.

>> reporter: tonight the president has declared a
state of emergency
for
north dakota
. while estimates as to how high the river is going to get have been lowered, which is good news, no one here is taking if i chances. brian?

>>kevin
tibbles in
north dakota
tonight. no short of good people there. thank you,
kevin
.